Article of furniture of the folding type



July 4, 1933. Cl lI SYMMONDS 1,916,288

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE OF THE FOLDING TYPE Filed Sept. 27, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet l c; J. SYMMONDS 1,916,288

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE OF THE FOLDING TYPE July 4, 1933.

Filed Sept. 27, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I, l 8/ /4 9/ 01. Z4

INVENTOR.

Chv es JSW/WOHQ/S BY @6MM ATTORNEY.

Vniture or Patented July d, 1933 l enlise i.,

Lil. F'JNTURE 0F TEE FOLDING' TYPEv Application niet".

September 27,1932. SerialmG-Bfll.

(GRAiirnn tinnen Tien here? immens. 188e, is AMENDED maitrise, 192e; 37eo. e. 757) Ynianuiactured and used by or 'for the Government forgovernmental purposes,without the. payment to nie of any royaltythereon.

This invention relates to an articleof turi the folding type, mereparticularly it' is directed to a folding', locking;l and leg bracingmechanism for an article of turni: ture ordinarily having a` dat top. l

@ne of 'the objects'oi my invention is to 'provide a folding, locking),hand leg bracing mechanism i'vhich adapted to be easily and quicklyapplied to an art ele et Afurniture such as a table or the lille. teprovide inea-ns fer'rcadily folding' and unfolding the legs thereof,also for rigidly bracing said legs when Vin an unfolded er onerativeposition and for locline' said leg teliiini'aiul untoldine' mechanismincluding' said legs into position as usage requires,

Another object VolI niy invention is to provide a folding', locking andlegi 'iracingwniecln anism for an article et Iurniture sucn as a `tableor the like which may be applied to thc Article of furniture ier easilyand quickly A L f folding or unfoldi n' the llas thereof. ndependentlyoi the Vt A oi said article of furniture. therebypermittingdille'renttops 'for the furniture to be sul tituted without inter- 1 r!tering' with the were` le; nari", of said loldi rhzinisin.

tion is to 'probracing mechrni iure which is construction 'i order.

7 her objectoi my ur'c limi', locking; and 'einem' au article `i simplein eperatioin'clieag and 'which not liable locking and leg' n uit'construction., arrang'cin ci parts which will herein es oit illustrationtl ce to the accoinpan iup; draw y. bers distinguish like pa Fig. l is apersnei'ftiye told table inverted with l I Operative position Ahavin' lL thereto, Y Y

I y;*lfiich are suitably connected thereto.

or" the' legs ofthe table in o'iierativeposi- Fig'. el is bottom planview of Fig.. l; andv Fig. is a cross-sectional view taken on line of Fle looking in' tno. direction or the arrows. y A

ln the illust-rated embodiment character-V izing my invention, Aindicates generally an article of furniture here illustrated in the termoi a table to which my invention in y be applied for folding" orunfolding the 'pairs of legsl a'nd, respectively. y

The tabled comprises latop supporting traine 3 having depending siderails 4l and' which are joined together at their ends by means of'eornerirons 6 whichare attached to the side rails d and 5 by any suitablemeans such as screws 7, transversely. extending' across the side rails land suitably connected thereby their ends are stabili Zing beams orcross ends by means'oif metallic angle st 'apsll .Y

flanges l0 are tastened te the sides et the rails 'et and of thesupporting vframe 3 by any suitable means such as screws l2 orjthe like.Cross bars 131i and 18B" are provided between the l and 2. wherein L.denotes the left land 'side and' B, the right hand side of ythe .ble A.'The bars lLand 13R constitute pivot and are provided at each end withreduced rounded ends .forming pivots 14 which are adapted toprojectthrough an ap.- erture provided in theinner endY of each of the' Legs land 2 and be pii'fo'tably secured to y the side rails 5 of thesupporting frame 3 by ens of securingA means ll. rl`he legsl and Y,further secured tothe pivot bars ALSL vand means of lined braces i6 andalso byineens of plates HL and 17B, which are made oit metal or anyother suitable mate-rial.

The

Vnr handle H to links SSL.

therefore constitute eoualizer bars.

Each of said plates 17L and 17B may be provided with an aperture 18,through which the pivots 14 of the pivot bars lSL and 13R may projectand are provided with extensions 19 having pivotable connection withlinks QOL and 270K. Each of the links 20L and 20B are pivotablyconnected at the other end to stub links orequalizers 21L and 21R. Theother end of each stub link or equalizer QlL and 21R is pivoted to asubstantially triangular-shaped offset portion Q2 of links QSL and 23R,which is pivoted to the cross braces 8 at 24 and forms part ofcollapsible braces .ZL and 25B7 the other end of the collapsible braces251i and 25B constituting links QSL and 26B, which are pivoted at 27 toeach of the links QSL and 23R and at its other end to its respectiveleg.

A stop 28 is provided as an extension of each link 26L andfQGR to abutragainst the table side of links QSL and 23R.

The above description applies equally well to any one of the linkages ofeach of the four corners of the-table.

For purposes of my invention I provide an operating or control linkagewhich is c onnected to all of said corner or leg moving linkages so thatupon movement thereof the two right legs 2 will be opened up intooperative position first and thereafter the two left legs 1 upon furthermovement ot the control linkage will be opened up to their normalextended or operative position. This control linkage comprises asubstantially bail or U- shaped member 29 which is made of resilientmaterial and is adapted to be held in a locked or latched position b vmeans of a latch S0 having one portion S1 thereof connected to thecontrol linkage 29 and other portions comprising complementa-l membersSQL and 32B thereof connected to the bottom of the. table top 9 andsuitably spaced from each other;

The control linkage 29 is pivotablv connected at its remote ends tolinks SSR and pivotably connected at points intermediate said ends andthe common connecting portion It is to be noted that the other end oflinks SSL and SSR are connected pivotablv to the, centers or the middleof the stub links QlL and 21R. which e In order to guide the action ofthe control linkage 29, a friction bearing and guide member S4 providedwith a guide aperture S5 through which the links SSR extends and whichare adapted to be frictionally held stationary or move longitudinallythereonupon the operation of the control linkage 29 is secured to thecross braces 8 of the table.

To operate my device I proceed as follows: I irst grasp the folded tableand place it in an inverted position so that the obverse side of thetable ispresented to the operator. Next the common bail-shaped member 29is pushed iixwardly against the spring action thereof to release thelatch SO from its complemental latch member SQL. By pushing on thecommon bail-shaped member Q9 it is caused to be sprung inwardly whichcauses the ends thereof to iorcc the links SSR against the. outside edgeof the guide aperture S5 provided in each of the friction bearing andguide members S4. The hand then orients l the common bail-shaped member29 in an accurate path in a clockwise direction. Continued motion of thecommon bail-shaped member causes the links SSR to move longitudinally inthe friction bearing and guide members Si and constrains the .linkageand equalizer-s to raise the right hand leg members which attain theirfully extended lo- :ation when the angle described is subst-antiallytantamount to 900. The lett hand legr members are acted upon by theconstrained inl-tages and cqualizers when the common bail-shaped memberoperated and the right and left hand leg members are in afolded positionthereby causing the left hand leg members to assist in raising the righthand leg members. EXt-enuated action of the common bail-shaped member 29then acts on the linkages and ecplalizers of the left hand leg memberswith a delayed action to raise them to their tully extended location.mon bail-shaped member is now snapped into its latch position with thecomplemental latch member SZR. The collapsible braces The comi hold theunitary leg members in extended position and prevent the collapsethereof. Upon inversion of my table it is ready for use.

To fold the leg members from a raised or unfolded position to a loweredor folded position the common bail-shaped member Q9 is again grasped bythe hand and pulled inwardly against the spring action thereof to unlockthe latch S0 from its complemental latch member This action causes theends of the common bail-shaped member 29 to torce the links SSR againstthe outside edges et the guide aperture S5 provided in the frictionbearing and guide members therelnY causing the links to have africtional connection therewith to hold the right hand leg members inextended position while the left hand leg members are being lowered to afolded or collapse position. The action of thevcommon bail-shaped memberalso H causes the links t to be held in a. stat1onary position thuscontributing to the frietional action above referred to for holding theright hand leg members in fully extended position. The hand then orientsthe common bail-shaped member 29 in an accurate path in acounter-clockwise direction. The pivots which are common to the linksSSR and the ends of the common bail-shaped member 29 remaining fixedwhile the common bail-shaped member is being operated.

vBy virtue Vofthe above mentioned spring effect of tliecommonbail-shaped member 29 'on the links' 33B. when released bythe latchOfrom its complemental; latch-,member 32B, the action thereof istransmitted to the links USL which in turnacts on the linkage for .theleftghand legv members to loiver the left ,hand leg members into foldedposition. EX'

tenuatedniotion of the common bail-shaped member after the lefthand legmembers have been foldedgto their :fully Lclosed position 'causes thepivoted point` of the equalizers QlLand the ends of the links 33L tobecome fixed; which in turn causes the links SSL-Which are connectedbythei-r other` eiidtothe bailshaped member 29. to act on thebail-shaped member "as a ,revolvingror moving fulcrum. T he Yrestrainingactionof the li'Xed equali'zers QlLjand the links BBL causes the actionof the bail-shaped member 29 to be transmitted backto the links 33Bwhich in turn act on the linkage for the right hand leg members 'tofoldlthem into inoperative or folded position, the right hand legAmembers folding upon-the left hand leg members.` The latch 30 ofthecommon bail-shaped'member 29' is now snapped'into its latch .positionwith the Y complemental latch member SQL. The table is now in anrinoperative conditionv for putting it away iiik a-small space for futureuse.k

it will thus be seen that I have invented a highly novel,simpleandefticient article of furniture of the folding type whichisivell Vadapted for all the purposes designated. lventhough I haveVherein shown and described my device'as comprising certain structuralelements, it -is'nevertlieless to be understoodthat changes may he madetherein Without departino` from the spirit or scopeof my invention,which broadly comprises a frame having ends, a unitary legfmemberpivotedthereto at each end, common means connected to said unitary legmembers for extend-ing first one unitary leg 'member into and then-theother unitary leg member into eXtended position upon continualv movementof said means, said means comprising pivotal equalizingbars, and 'acombination bail link and branching linkagesv connected to said lin ;near fits" ends,brace members comprising a 5 bar tixabl'y securedatyonevendi tol-.its respec tive leg and' at lthe other endto said rod,.and i latch means for holding said common means inl locked vpositioneither when the unitary leg Ymembers are in a folded: or unifoldedposition;

i Noiv; that l have disclosed my invention what I claim as new andusefulis: i l. An article. of furniturecomprising a fra-me having ends,aunitary leg iiiemoer j pivoted thereto at each end, common controlmeans, leg moving means connected to said unitary leg members and saideomiiioncoii- `trol means, said vcommon control means acty ing upon saidlee' moving means to first move one ofv said iinitary leg members andthen folded or unfolded position.

Q 'An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitary legmember pivoted thereto at each, control linkageV means, leg moving linksconnected to said unitary members and said control linkage means, saidcontrol linl age means acting upon said leg moving links tofirst'iiioveone of said unitary leg members and then the other of. said unitary'legmembers into a folded or unfolded position. f

3. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, asuiiitaryleg member pivoted thereto at-each end, control linkage means,legvmoving links `connected to said unitary leg members and said`control linkage means, afriction bearing and guide, member connected tocertain of said leg moving links andsaid table, said control linkagemeansacting upon saidY leg moving links to first moveone of said unitarylegvmembersl and then the other Vof said unitary leg members intoafolded or unfolded position.

, An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitary legvmember pivoted thereto each end and common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first one unit-ary leg member and thenthe other unitary legmember into extended position upon continualmovement offesaid means, said means comprising pivetal eqiializing bars,and a combination bail link andbranching linkage connected to said i.legs, saidbianching lin rage comprising links having one end ofeachpivotably connected to said equali'zing bars and links having one end ofeach pivotably connected Sto said. pivotalequalizing bars and the otherends thereof pivotably connected to said'legs.

, 5. Anarticle of vfurniture comprising-a. frame having ends, auiiitaryvleg member pivotedV thereto at each end, common meansveonnec'tedfto said unitar'yleg members for extending first one unitaryleg member and' then the other unitary leg member into cxtendedpositionupon continualmovement of said means, said, means vcoiiipris'iiigpivotal eqiializing bars,rand,v a combination'bail link and branchingYlinkages connected toA saidv se the other of said unitary leg membersinto ice legs, said branching linkages comprising links having one endof each pivotably con-V nected to said equalizing bars and links havingone end of each pivotably connected to said pivotal equalizing bars andthe other ends thereof pivotably connected .to said legs and collapsiblebraces, each pivoted to its respective leg at 011e end and to saidpivotal equalizing bars and said frame at the other end thereof. i

6. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitary legmember pivoted thereto at each end, common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first one unitary leg member and thenthe other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of said means and latch means for holding said common means inlocked position either when the unitary leg members are in a folded orunfolded position.

7. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitary legmember pivoted thereto at each end, common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first one unitary leg member and thenthe other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of said means, said means comprising a combination bail linkand branching linkages connected to said legs and guide means secured tosaid frame and' having a guiding surface in contact with certain of saidbranching linkages.

8. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitary legmember pivoted thereto at each end, common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first oneunitary leg member and thenthe other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of said means wherein said unitary leg member comprises acommon pivoted rod having legs fixably secured thereto near its ends andF brace members, each of said brace members comprising a bar fixablysecured at one Yend to its respective leg and at the other end to saidrod.

9. An 'particle of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitaryleg member pivoted thereto at each end, common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first one unitary leg member and thenthe other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of said means, said means including pivotal equalizing bars,and collapsible braces, each pivoted to its respective leg at one endand to said equalizing bars and said frame at the other end thereof.

10. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitaryleg member pivoted thereto-at each end, common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first one unitary leg member and thenthe other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of said means, said means comprising pivotal equalizing bars,and a combination bail link and branching linkages connected to saidlegs, said branching linkages comprising links having one end of eachpivotably connected to said equalizing bars, links having one end ofeach pivotably'connected to said pivotal equalizing bars andthe otherends thereof pivotably connected to said legs, collapsible braces, eachpivoted to its respective leg at one end and to said pivotal equalizingbars and said frame at the other end thereof and latch means for holdingsaid common means in locked position either when the unitary'leg membersare in a folded or unfolded position.

- 11. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitaryleg member pivoted thereto at each end, common means connected to saidunitary leg members for extending first one unitary leg member and thenthe other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of said means,lsa.id means comprising pivotal equalizing bars,and a combination bail link and branching linkages connected to saidlegs, said branching linkages comprising links having one end of eachpivotably connected to said equalizing bars, links having one end ofeach pivotably connected to said pivotal equalizing bars and the otherends thereof pivotably connected to said legs, collapsible braces eachpivoted to its respective lleg at one end and to said pivotal equalizingbars and said frame at the other end thereof, guide means secured tosaid frame and having a guiding surface in contact with certain of saidbranching linkages, and latch means for holding said common means inlocked position either When the unitary leg members are in a folded orunfolded position. l2. An article of furniture comprising a frame havingends, a unitary leg member pivoted thereto at each end, common meansconnected to said unitary leg members for extending first one unitaryleg member and then the other unitary leg member into extended positionupon continual movement of said means, said means comprising acombination bail member and branching linkages connected to said legs,guide means secured to said frame and having a guiding surface inContact with certain of said branching linkages and latch means forholding said common means in locked position either when the unitary legmembers are in a folded or unfolded position. A 13. An article offurniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitary leg member pivotedthereto at each end, common means connected to said unitary legmembersfor extending first one unitary leg member and then the other unitaryleg member' into eX- tended position upon continual movement of saidmeans, said means comprising a bail link and branching linkagesconnected to saidV locked position either when the unitary legr membersare 1n afolded or unfolded position.

14. An article of furniture comprising a frame having ends, a unitaryleg member pivoted thereto at each end and common means connected tosaid unitary leg members for extending first one unitary leg member andthen the other unitary leg member into extended position upon continualmovement of'said means, said means comprising a combination bail linkand branching linkconnected to said legs, guide means secured to saidframe and having a guiding surface in Contact with certain of saidbranching linkages? wherein said unitary leg member comprises a commonpivoted rod having legs lifzably'secured thereto near its ends and bracemembers, each of said brace members comprising a bar liXably secured atone end 'to its respective leg and at its other end to said rod.

CHARLES J. SYMMONDS.

